Hostage standoff over after 7 days, kidnapper dead

Hostage standoff over after 7 days, kidnapper dead

MIDLAND CITY, Ala. (WHNT) – After a seven-day standoff, the hostage crisis in south Alabama has ended.

The abducted 5-year-old boy Ethan is safe, and has been taken to a hospital about eight miles from the place where he had been held hostage, Alabama Rep. Steve Clouse told CNN.

“Finally, this nightmare has come to an end,” Clouse said.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Steve Richardson told reporters at a press conferencethat negotiations had broken down and that Jimmy Lee Dykes was seen holding gun. The decision was then made to enter the bunker.

Agents stormed the bunker and rescued Ethan, who appears unharmed.

The FBI said that Dykes is dead.

Officials held a news conference at approximately 5 p.m. to confirm the child is safe and the attacker is dead. Police and FBI said that more information will be released soon.

This is a breaking news alert. We will post more info as it becomes available.